Recruiting Weekend Primer

Michael McAllister

01/14/2016

We preview a big recruiting weekend for the Syracuse Orange inside.

This weekend is the first of three huge January official visit weekends for the Syracuse Orange football program. With more than a half-dozen prospects set to be on campus, it could play a large part in shaping the 2016 class. Here is the visitor list, headlined by a Scout-300 offensive lineman.

Stewart Reese is a massive offensive lineman who is being recruited by Nick Monroe, Syracuse's primary Florida recruiter. Monroe visited Reese at his school and did an in-home Thursday evening. Reese has official visits scheduled for Mississippi State (1/22) and Florida State (1/29), with the Illinois involved as well. This is Syracuse's chance to make a big impression.

Sam Brodner is one of several running backs visiting over the next few weeks. He is a bit shorter than other targets, but makes up for that with his speed. Brodner also has official visits set up to Illinois (1/22) and Wisconsin (1/29). The Badgers have not offered yet, but still look like the biggest threat to the Orange.

Devon Clarke's relationship with Syracuse has certainly had its ups and downs. The Orange were the favorite under the old staff, and then Clarke tried to pull the trigger over the summer. They did not accept, however, and Clarke seemed to move on. One school that was recruiting him hard at the time was Bowling Green. Well that staff has moved to Syracuse, and the Orange are back in the picture. Now they are after him hard and he visits this weekend. If he tries to commit again, it is expected that it will be accepted this time around.

DeVaughn Cooper is a California native who is extremely talented. Though he is committed to Arizona, Cooper is still open to other options. That includes Syracuse, who likes him as a receiver. Arizona State, Washington and Washington State are also recruiting him, so this one could take some more turns. But this is Syracuse's shot. He will have teammates with him on the trip as well.

Sean Riley is a high school teammate of Cooper, and is also committed to Arizona. The Wildcats apparently want to greyshirt Riley, which was not well received. Riley is therefore looking around, and his combination of speed and shiftiness may be a great fit for the Dino Babers offense. Syracuse likes him as a wide receiver and are in a good spot entering the visit.

Cedric Byrd is the last of three receivers visiting Syracuse from Narbonne High. Byrd has not been offered yet. Whether or not he picks one up on the visit remains to be seen. But he is someone to watch throughout the rest of the cycle.

Andrew Armstrong committed to the Babers' staff at Bowling Green and has a great relationship with his primary recruiter Tom Kaufman. Kaufman has been recruting him for quite some time. Syracuse seems to be the favorite entering the visit, and it may be the last one he takes.